counting calories at restaurants

malibu927 wrote: »

BWBTrish wrote: »

questimate and enjoy the hell out of my dinner out thats all

This. The good thing is, if you're going to a chain, you can usually look up the nutrition info online beforehand and figure out what fits your goals.

indeed and you lose that in a couple of days just water.

I gain water weight when i eat out, but it didnt stop me from losing 105 pounds in 10 months....or my weight loss
And more important...just normal living.

dinners out, parties etc etc happens
thats life...deal with it, enjoy it, next day back on track even when you gain some water weight...no big deal.

1) if you're going to a restaurant, look up the restaurant online and see if they've got a menu ... some might even list calorie counts.

2) if the restaurant you're going to doesn't list calories, check similar restaurants which have similar food and see if they do.

3) still no luck? Look up recipes ... you might be able to find a recipe that is similar to what the restaurant (or your friends) serve. Many recipe sites online, and some recipe books, list calories.

4) check MFP's database ... sometimes someone else has been there and has entered info about certain dishes.

5) when in doubt, enter 2 servings rather than 1. Many restaurants serve up huge portions ... probably easily 2 servings.


I also do things like ... have a salad with no dressing or dressing on the side. That helps fill me up a bit. Order the "entre" or "half-order" rather than the full order. Choose veggies as a side rather than chips. Drink water.

Guestimate is basically correct.

If a chain check to see if they have nutritional information. If not, think back to similar meals at a chain restaurant and draw equivalences.

Take a picture of what you eat. Reconstruct the dish using your diary and MFP's database.

Don't forget to add a tablespoon or two or three of oil, butter, or margarine as most restaurants are far from thrifty when it comes to using excess fat during the cooking process.

Don't be afraid to specify how you want your food cooked and served (and to pay a bit extra if your wishes are honoured). "I would like my chicken cooked dry without excess oil, and my veggies steamed without margarine, oil, butter, or sauces added to them please. Please serve my salad with the dressing on the side. Thank you."